Shloka 12
सूक्ष्मभूत-भूतात्मविज्ञानम्
Knowing the subtle principle and the bhūtātman through yoga
येन केनचिदाच्छन्नो येन केनचिदाशित: । यत्र क्वचन शायी च त॑ देवा ब्राह्मणं विदु:
yena kenacid ācchanno yena kenacid āśitaḥ | yatra kvacana śāyī ca taṃ devā brāhmaṇaṃ viduḥ ||
Vyāsa dit : Celui qui couvre son corps de tout ce qu’il obtient par hasard ; qui mange, en temps voulu, ce qui lui échoit, fût-ce une nourriture rude et frugale ; et qui s’étend pour dormir où qu’il se trouve—un tel homme, les dieux le reconnaissent comme un véritable brāhmaṇa, connaisseur de Brahman.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
A true brāhmaṇa is identified by inner realization and non-attachment: accepting any clothing, any simple food that comes in time, and any place to sleep, without craving or pride. Such contentment and freedom from dependence on comforts is presented as a sign of Brahman-knowledge.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and the qualities of the spiritually accomplished, Vyāsa describes the conduct of an ideal renunciant/wise person. The verse functions as a criterion: the gods themselves ‘recognize’ such a person as a true brāhmaṇa.